I was always influenced by language.

Writing children's books gives a writer a very strong sense of narrative drive.

The poets whom I knew then were all men and all seemed dauntingly sure of themselves - although I am sure that really they were as uncertain as I was.

If we understand the past, we are more likely to recognise what is happening around us.

When you are young you don't always realise how full of doubts everybody is.

Once one habit peels away the others follow it. You have to hold on, or the next thing you'll find yourself parading down the street in your nightdress. Habit is everything.

I hope that readers will tear through my books because they can't stop themselves - and then, maybe, read them again and find new things there.